A rare spring no-hitter

BRADENTON, Fla.  Today’s matchup between the Pirates and the Reds was a rarity for a spring training game.

Reds pitcher Aaron Harang had a no-hitter through six innings before he called it a day.

The Pirates mustered just two hits in the 6-0 loss to the Reds at McKechnie Field. Nate McLouth recorded the first hit when with a lead-off single in the seventh.

Pirates starting pitcher Ian Snell had a tough day giving up six runs in 4.1 innings. He left the game earlier than expected because of a blister that flared up on the side of his big toe on his right foot.

Snell said he started to feel the blister in the second inning. That’s when he gave up five runs.

Snell didn’t seem at all discouraged by the disappointing outing. He kept stressing that it’s spring training and the most important thing is that he got his work in. Manager John Russell wasn’t concerned either about Snell’s pitching or his toe.

Sean Burnett, Matt Capps, Jason Davis and Denny Bautista combined for 4.2 scoreless innings and held the Reds to two hits.

General manager Neal Huntington provided an injury update before the game today. Reliever Evan Meek is expected to miss approximately a week due to a tired shoulder. Utility player Andy Phillips  who hasn’t played since March 7  will have an injection in his back, where he has bulging discs. Huntington said he hopes Phillips can return this weekend.

• Brandon Moss played right field today for the first time since bruising his thumb on March 7. Moss is grateful he’s returned to the lineup so quickly considering his dismal prognosis the day he was injured.

“The Twins doctor told me it would probably be a couple months,” Moss said. “I said, ‘What does it look like?’ She said, ‘Probably a couple months.’ I was freaking out.”

• Zach Duke will get the start tomorrow when the Tampa Bay Rays visit McKechnie Field.